DAILY Express owner Richard Desmond has become the UK Independence Party's most high-profile donor by handing over £1million to Nigel Farage's fighting fund.

In a dramatic intervention into the general election campaign, the media tycoon announced that the cash injection towards Ukip's drive to win more MPs was a "challenging" gesture to shake up a Westminster establishment that has lost the trust of millions of voters.

And he hailed the massive boost to the election war chest of Mr Farage's People's Army as a "Fanfare for the Common Man."

The cash comes on top of a £300,000 donation given to Ukip last year by Mr Desmond, who also owns the Sunday Express, the Daily Star and OK! magazine.

Explaining his decision, the Express Newspapers owner said: "I firmly believe in Ukip. It's a party for good, ordinary British people. It is not run by elitists.

"They are struggling to have a voice. They do not have a massive party machine or highly paid public relations people.

"They are human; they are not perfect and they do not pretend to be. But what they believe in is the best for the British people.

"They are the sort of people who will stand up for people who are struggling."

Mr Farage, Ukip's leader, was delighted by the huge vote of confidence in his political insurgency, which is seeking to build a new force of Ukip MPs in the Commons.

He said: "This money will make a big difference. We are up against the big battalions; this helps significantly.

"We've been doing very well compared to the big parties already and this will make a big difference."

Express Newspapers/Tim Clarke

Richard Desmond said the donation would help Ukip fight for ordinary British people

Ukip believe in what is best for the British people. They will stand up for those who are struggling

Express Newspapers Chairman Richard Desmond

Mr Farage added: "Richard is a self-made man with the courage of his convictions.

"I know there are a lot more people out there who agree in private but I hope this public gesture encourages others to follow his example."

Mr Desmond said his support for Ukip was partly inspired by the experience of seeing his locally-run coffee shop forced out of business by Starbucks, the multi-national chain that has come under fire for paying virtually no corporation tax in the UK for over 16 years.

"These are the sort of people who should be protected," Mr Desmond said of hard-pressed small business owners.

Express Newspapers/Tim Clarke

The Daily Express has long crusaded for Britain to quit the EU

Mr Desmond insisted his backing for Ukip was designed to shake up the Westminster parties who have left millions of voters including many Daily Express readers disenchanted.

"I don't believe Cameron has delivered on his promises," he said.

"I don't want to be a member of a club. As Groucho Marx said, I don't want to join any club that would have me as a member.

"I always have challenged the establishment and I want to continue to challenge it".

"I'm giving this money because I believe....as Emerson, Lake and Palmer might put it....Ukip's political outlook is a 'fanfare for the common man.'

"I want to back our customers, Daily Express readers, who believe in many of Ukip's common-sense policies on the EU and immigration and taxation.

"That is why I am putting my hand in my pocket; it is for my customers, my readers.

"I hope by doing this, it will encourage more people to do the same.

"I want them to stand up like me and be counted. I believe there are still people out there who are frightened to stand up for something new and I hope they will follow my example."

Mr Desmond praised Ukip for taking a stand against the soaring levels of Government spending on overseas aid and for standing up for Britain¹s Armed Forces.

"I was concerned about the threat from Russia under President Vladimir Putin and was encouraged that Ukip want to spend 2% of national income on defence and our Armed Forces," he said.

Express Newspapers/Tim Clarke

Nigel Farage said the donation from Mr Desmond would help Ukip significantly

Expressing his frustration with the privileged elite running Westminster¹s main political parties, Mr Desmond added: "I am fed up with complacency and cronyism and I'm fed up with the floppy-haired Eton club.

"I am also fed up with champagne socialists who just tell people what they want to hear.

"Ukip is a thorn in their side. That is why I am doing this.

"I want them to carry on being a thorn in the side of the Tories and Labour.

"When I read the Ukip manifesto, I found it very sensible.

"That has been widely recognised and it is what Daily Express readers admire; they have been saying it for years.

"I want to stand up and be counted, not just stand by and do nothing.

"I hope that by saying this it will give people the confidence to come out and vote.

"Nigel Farage is not a PR man. He has given up the chance to earn himself millions of pounds and devoted himself to this job and this cause.

"Cameron talks a good talk but we need someone at the centre of politics who will not only talk about the right issues but will follow them through."